BERKELEY, Calif. - California forward Leon Powe said Tuesday he would go ahead with his plans to be part of the NBA draft and hire an agent.

Powe said last month he would likely make himself eligible for the draft but waited to sign with an agent to keep open the possibility of returning for his two years of college.

Powe, who missed the 2004-05 season following two operations on his troublesome left knee, told the Cal coaching staff of his decision Tuesday.

The 6-foot-8, 240-pound Powe is projected as a middle-to-late first-round pick or early second-round selection. He had hinted he would make the jump if he were expected to be a first-round choice.

He Cal to its first NCAA tournament bid in three years this past season, but the Bears lost in the first round to North Carolina State. Cal went 20-11 and finished third in the Pac-10.

He earned second-team All-America honors after averaging Pac-10 bests of 20.5 points and 10.1 rebounds in his first season back following a serious knee injury that sidelined him for all the 2004-05 season.